World-class Brain Tumor Care for Bermudian Patients: Q&A with Dr. Brian Nahed

Brian Nahed, MD, MSc, is a neurosurgical oncologist and neurosurgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital Brain Tumor Center and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He works closely with Mass General Brigham International Patient Services, giving lifesaving care for Bermudian patients with brain tumors and other neurological diseases and conditions. 

In this Q&A, Dr. Nahed discusses the expertise and caring people that make Mass General Brigham a top destination for Bermudian patients. He also highlights common brain tumor symptoms and the innovative brain tumor treatments available at Mass General Brigham. 

Q: Why should Bermudian patients turn to Mass General Brigham for neurological care?

Nahed: We have the benefit of being a high-volume medical center with world-class expertise and the technology and resources to treat patients from around the world. Just as important, we have a deeply caring team.

This means that Mass General is often a global referral center, treating complex cases for patients who may not have access to certain treatments at home. Many Bermudian patients we see require specialized care that isn’t available locally.

Over the years, we’ve built a strong relationship with Bermuda’s medical community. In my experience, Bermudians have been nothing but kind and generous—it’s always a pleasure to work with Bermudian doctors to coordinate care and patients looking for ways to help others access the care that they need. Our goal is to provide the best possible treatment so patients can return to their home and lives as soon as possible.

Q: How does Mass General Brigham ensure access for international patients?

Nahed: Our Mass General Brigham International Patient Care team does a great job accommodating and scheduling care around a patient’s needs. For example, if a patient needs surgery to remove a brain tumor, we can schedule them to receive the surgery within days of the initial call. Where possible, we also offer patients virtual follow-up care, so they only travel back and forth when necessary.

Q: What are the most common neurological cancers you treat among Bermudian patients?

Nahed: Brain tumors can happen to anyone. They either start in the brain or spread from other parts of the body. Among Bermudian patients, the most common types of brain tumors I see include:

• Gliomas — tumors that develop from glial cells in the brain or spinal cord
• Meningiomas — tumors that start from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
• Metastatic disease tumors — cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain
• Intracranial lesions — areas of brain tissue damaged by injury or disease. These are typically monitored, and they are only removed if they begin to cause symptoms.

Q: What are the symptoms of brain tumors that patients should look out for? Is there a way to catch them early?

Nahed: Brain tumors can cause a range of symptoms—or sometimes none at all—depending on where they are in the brain. Common symptoms of brain tumors include seizures, difficulty with movement, trouble speaking or swallowing, or numbness or weakness in certain parts of the body.

Research is underway to improve our ability to diagnose and monitor brain tumors. We're working to gain a better understanding of what causes brain tumors and how to improve potential screening tests and treatment.

Q: What brain tumor treatments are available at Mass General Brigham?

Nahed: Brain tumor treatments are more advanced now than they’ve ever been in my career. At Mass General Brigham, our clinicians work together to deliver highly personalized care that’s tailored and unique to each patient. This team-based approach allows us to make more precise decisions and be more proactive and aggressive when treating brain cancer.

There are new advancements being made every day in brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. In addition to tumor removal surgery, we also offer immune-targeted treatments like CAR T-cell therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. CAR T-cell therapy in particular has shown strong potential as a treatment option. At Mass General, we are working to develop the first liquid biopsy tests that use a blood test to diagnose, monitor, and guide therapy of brain tumors.

When you get care at Mass General Brigham, you receive not only most advanced treatments available today but also the benefits of breakthrough research shaping the future of brain tumor care.